Henrikh Mkhitaryan has urged midfielder Aaron Ramsey to stay at Arsenal amidst rumours he could leave The Emirates this summer.

Ramsey has not yet put pen to paper on a new contract with the Gunners, meaning the club could be forced to sell-up this summer to avoid losing him on a free next year when the Welshman’s current contract expires.

Chelsea are amongst are host of clubs who have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old, with Lazio and Barcelona also reported contenders for his signature.

However Mkhitaryan, who joined Arsenal last summer from Manchester United, believes the Wales international should stay in North London – describing him as a “symbol of the club”.

“His work rate is very, very high and everyone appreciates what he does on the pitch and off it, because he’s a true professional,” Mkhitaryan said.

“Of course it’s very easy to play next to him because he tries to be everywhere to help the team – to score goals, to assist, to tackle, recover balls – and that’s why I’m going to be very happy if he stays at the club.

“I think he’s been with the club for 10 years already and it seems that he became a symbol for this club. I will be very happy for him if he signs a new contract because he’s in the history of Arsenal already and I hope he can become a legend for Arsenal after a few more years.”